El Manantial, which means ‘oasis’, is North Reston’s popular Spanish-Italian-French fusion eatery that offers an upscale dining experience, delectable Mediterranean cuisine and a spacious, European-style atmosphere. The restaurant is run by eight members of the Fuentes family, all originally from El Salvador, who brings extensive restaurant experience to the table. In 2002, while each Fuentes family member was working at eight separate locations, they decided to band together to launch a joint venture that is now known as El Manantial.In 2003, El Manantial appeared on Washingtonian magazine’s “Top 100 Restaurants” list, and was named one of the year’s “Top 20 Restaurants to Watch”. The eatery received rave reviews in the 2004 Zagat Restaurant Guide, and appeared in The Washington Post Magazine’s Restaurant Dining Guide. El Manantial is open for daily from 11:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for lunch, and from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. for dinner; Saturdays from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.; and Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. for brunch, and from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. for dinner.

Maitre d' Humberto Fuentes
Humberto Fuentes brings 25 years of experience to El Manantial and a long and respected career in the D.C. area, and is best known for his work with El Tio Pepe in Georgetown and La Taberna del Alabardero in D.C.


Chef Enrique Fuentes
Enrique Fuentes has delighted restaurant goers for over two decades in the DC area, working as head chef for both La Cote d'Or in Falls Church and La Brasserie on Capital Hill. Enrique’s signature dishes at El Manantial include blackened talapia with a cognac cream sauce, delectable soft-shell crabs, and crispy Thai-fried chicken in a spicy chili sauce.


Patisserie Chef Emilia Fuentes Marquez
Emilia Marquez comes to El Manantial directly from Café La Ruche in Georgetown, where for 20 years she exhibited her talent for sumptuous and creative patisserie.


Head Server Mario Fuentes
Mario Fuentes, a highly skilled expert in the serving arena, gives El Manantial its reputation for supreme service. As an expert on everything from fine wines to the most complicated of culinary techniques, coupled with his extensive experience at The Lebanese Taverna, Mario makes dining at El Manantial a truly effortless experience. Also making El Manantial a unique eatery is host Sonia Fuentes, Assistant Chef Marina Romero, and servers Edwin Fuentes and Juana Fuentes.